Prediction: Marseille vs Tottenham

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 47/20

Bookmaker: 888sport

We’re in the endgame now as the UEFA Champions League group stage comes to a close this week ahead of the impending World Cup. A parade of clubs are gearing up for either disappointment or elation with Group D, in particular, being especially hard to call with just one set of games remaining. Today, we’ll be taking a look at what should be a fascinating clash between Marseille and Tottenham Hotspur.

Marseille

A poor run of form has left Marseille on the outside looking in at both the title race and the race for qualification in this group, which isn’t exactly the kind of ‘momentum’ you want to be taking forward into such a crucial fixture. They just feel a bit static in their attacking movements and in a general sense, on paper, it’s hard to picture a route to anything other than elimination or perhaps the Europa League.

Team News

Bailly is set to miss out through injury here but aside from that, the hosts have no other absentees to worry about.

Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur may not be playing the most attractive football in the world under Antonio Conte, but they are certainly doing a better job of grinding out results than they have done in the past. They’ve got a squad capable of pulling rabbits out of the hat and as we’ve seen from them in Europe’s top club competition in the past, they shouldn’t be written off, especially when they are top of the group.

Team News

Richarlison is still out of action with Kulusevski and Romero both missing training on Monday in a concerning sign for the visitors.

Factors to Consider

• In the reverse fixture back in September, Tottenham beat Marseille 2-0.
• Marseille have won one, drawn one and lost four of their last six games.
• Tottenham have won three, drawn one and lost two of their last six games.
• Marseille have scored six goals and conceded eight in their last six games.
• Tottenham have scored 10 goals and conceded nine in their last six games.

Conclusion

Marseille are going to have a feverish crowd behind them but with Spurs just having more quality across the board, we expect to see them be the ones who seize control and edge out into an early lead. The French side, though, will almost certainly hit back, leading to a tense ending with Spurs holding firm at the back to confirm their place in the last 16 of the competition once again.

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 47/20

Bookmaker: 888sport